Wednesday, March 2, 2016

{solsc} I Should #sol16

The March Slice of Life Challenge
hosted by The Two Writing Teachers
Join us for a month of writing!

I should have major burn scars on the left side of my face and arm. I should...but I don't. 

I was 7 or 8 years old. I can't quite remember. But I remember that night as clearly as if it just happened. I guess you could say it was seared into my memory all those years ago. 

There wasn't anything unusual about this particular weekend camping trip. My three younger brothers and I had spent that Saturday swimming, fishing, playing on the playground, and running around playing hide-and-seek and other games. Dinner was over, and we were all sitting around the campfire...the fire that had been burning steady since Friday when we arrived. 

There were rules for being around the campfire. I was a rule follower. I can still hear my parents saying "Never run or walk between the campfire and the camp chairs. Always go behind the chairs. Always." And I always did...until that Saturday night. My brothers were sitting on the other side of campfire. They were teasing me about something, what I can't really remember. But as most sibling squabbles will go, at some point I reached my teasing limit. 

Jumping up from my camp chair,  eyes locked on the offending brother who was already planning his escape,  I began running around the crackling campfire, forgetting the rule about going behind the camp chairs. Forgetting about the extra long log that had been placed in the fire, the end sticking out. 

I don't necessarily remember tripping over the log. I DO remember lying on the ground, looking into the campfire, my left arm actually fully in the fire, the left side of my face laying full on the hot stone edging. I remember the heat. I remember the flames dancing around me. And then I remember my daddy picking me up, running toward the large water cooler we kept on the picnic table. I remember hearing him and my mommy as they quickly moved across the campsite, praying. I remember being held under the water cooler, pouring both ice cold water and prayers over my body.

I remember that I didn't have even a trace of a red mark. Anywhere. 

I should have major burn scars on the left side of my face and arm.  I should...but I don't. 

24 comments:

  1. WOW! What an amazing story! Sounds like someone was watching over you. I'm sure you remembered the chair rule from that moment on. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. I don't think I ever forgot that rule again. And I know someone was watching over me for sure! :-)

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  2. WOW! Great lead/ending. I couldn't stop reading. Glad you don't have any scars to show for this scary day. Thank you for writing this piece.(maribethbatcho.wordpress.com. For some reason I am unable to post with my name)

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  3. Some scars others can't see ... those deep memories.
    Keivn

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    1. Kevin, so true. Still to this day...40 something years later...I still can NOT light a match or lighter. And I'm okay with that.

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  4. Wow, what a powerful moment you shared with us, Susan. Now that you're a parent you probably feel the pain that they felt as they rushed you over to the water and prayed.

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    1. I can't even imagine what my parents went through. I only remember them both being nothing but calm and strong.

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  5. It seems almost spiritual, doesn't it? Close calls. One instant. It could have been a tragedy, but you were spared. Why? Great post.

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    1. As far as I'm concerned, there is no other explanation but that God was protecting me. Thanks for reading!

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  6. There was such tension in your slice --my son came in to ask a question and I shhhhhed him until I finished. I had to get to the end. Your short sentences crafted the pace and as the tension built your sentences became longer. And the ending was perfect. Left me thinking.... somewhat magical. This is a great story and the craft of the writing is was truly grabbed me. Well done!
    Clare

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    1. Wow! Thank you, Clare! I appreciate your specific feedback on the craft of my writing. I hope your son was understanding. :-)

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  7. Another wow! What a story, Susan! I like how you bookended your memory with "I should have major burn scars on the left side of my face and arm. I should...but I don't." and your use of repetitive phrases--very affective! So glad you came out of that experience unscarred. Again...wow!

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    1. Thank you, Molly! I really appreciate your feedback on the structure of the piece. Recounting it through writing was interesting...I've only ever told it orally to people.

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  8. You slowed down the story at just the right time - but, what an awful moment, and thank goodness for the quick thinking of your parents.

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    1. I'm so thankful for the calm, steady response of my parents. Something they've always been able to do. With four children I guess we gave them a lot of practice! :)

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  9. What a nightmare for your parents! I was really moved by the line, "I remember hearing him and my mommy as they quickly moved across the campsite, praying." This was a great story to share - and so glad that you have no scars.

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    1. Thank you, Maureen. Still do this day, when I think about this event, I'm struck by my parents strong faith, which I know provided the calm they exhibited in the moment.

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  10. tears. what a beautiful and heartfelt slice today.

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    1. Thank you, Sonja. It was an interesting experience to put the event into written form, really slowing down the moment.

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  11. Wow, how fortunate you were to be burned, but no scars; at least no visible scars. This event will always be with you.
    The power of prayer...

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    1. As my day always says..."Prayer works!"

      Hugs,
      Susan

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  12. Unbelieveable! I love how you showed your childness excitement and feeling of being invincible as you ran around the campfire. Your word choice of "daddy" and "mommy" made it so I was right there at the fire with you. Glad you were ok!

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    1. Oh, thanks for that feedback! I wrestled with the word choice of "daddy" and "mommy", not sure if it really fit. But, it was in the childhood memory, so I felt it was right.

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